The Road to the French River
Historic Canoe Route to Western Canada

French River Tourism

French River - Ontario - Weather
 

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The famous French River Bridge (Hwy 69), which spans
the French River 45 miles south of  Sudbury, Ontario.
 

Footbridge across the French River
at Hwy 69 about 45 miles south
of Sudbury, Ontario

Breaking News Update
Canada has an opportunity to bring a new province
into our country. I believe Canadians will be pleasantly
surprised and we will have a vote in that decision.
Click here to go to the new province webpage.
 

 

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  The French River
  Location:   French River - Ontario - Canada

  Most distinguishing feature:

       The French River is a 75 mile section of the Voyageur Route, which links Lake
  Nipissing with Georgian Bay. This world famous river consists of a corridor of
  interconnecting lakes, gorges and rapids that provide a variety of water routes,
  scenery and recreational activities. The river was designated a Canadian Heritage
  River in 1986.

        The French River has had a very colorful past, even flowing in the opposite
  direction at one time in the distant past. The river flows through Canadian Shield
  Country consisting of rugged glaciated rock and heavily forested areas. The mouth
  of the river is a massive delta containing islands, channels, and open water.

        The river was used by the Algonquian Indians who lived in the region. When
  the French explorers from the 17th century came to the region the river became
  known as the French River. The water route was used extensively from 1600 to
  1820. During this period, large numbers of canoe trains passed regularly going
  west in the spring and returning to Montreal in the late summer and autumn.
  Some of these canoes where 36 feet in length and carried 3 tons of goods.

        Around 1868, lumbermen turned their attention to Georgian Bay and the
  vast interior forests of this area. For the next 60 years, the French River became
  the great highway for floating logs down to Georgian Bay.

        But in the end, the rugged beauty of this land and its colorful history made it
  a major summer recreation and tourist area. Because of the rugged country this
  river runs through, large tracks of it remain untouched by modern society, which
  lets our generation see what these early explorers saw.

        Some major tributaries, which feed this river are the Wanapitei, Murdock
  and the Wolseley Rivers. Before the white man came this complex river system
  supported huge numbers of Northern Pike, Bass, Trout, Perch, Pickerel Rock
  Fish, Sturgeon and Muskellunge.

        To read about the history of the French River, please visit the following
  web page, which has been provided by the Bear's Den Lodge located at
  the French River Delta.

       For information about the French River, please visit the following webpage,

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  The Canadian Shield
  Location:   French River - Ontario - Canada

  Most distinguishing feature:

       The Canadian Shield, which acts as the foundation for the French River
  is unique to this area of northeastern Ontario. The rock-bed in this area started
  forming 1.5 billion years ago and kept evolving. Today, we can walk over it
  and lets our minds wonder, for it represents one of the attributes of our great
  country. To read more about the Canadian Shield in this area please visit the
  following website.

Autumn view of the French River

View of Indian Attack Pass on the French

Sunset on the French River

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  French River Waterway Provincial Park
   Location:   French River Ontario

        Most of the river's shores from Lake Nipissing to  Georgian Bay, except for
  the land occupied by the Dokis First Nation between the Upper and Lower
  French River, have been protected and designated as a provincial waterway park.
  There are 230 undeveloped back-country campsites available in the park along
  the river. This river is one of the most historic in North America and it attracts
  vacationers and cottage owners who enjoy the clear water, rocky shores and
  pine growth forests. For information please visit the park's website page.

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  Fishing Lodges and Resorts
   Location:   French River West Nipissing, Ontario

        In modern times the fishing lodges and resorts located along various areas
  of this river system has added to the status of the area. For a list of these lodges
  please click here.

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  Lost or Buried Treasure
   Location:   On or Near the French River, Ontario

        Our Earth holds many secrets and wherever man goes or has been, there
  probably are tales of lost treasures. It may be a lost ring or watch but sometimes
  it's much more. We would like to thank the author of "Lost & Buried Treasures
  in Ontario, Canada" for allowing the following reprint. These leads, where
  compiled from 39 years of research that came from many different places and
  countries. As with all treasure tales one must try to separate fact from fiction
  before heading into the field.

  A)  There are reports of a Spanish religious group massacre in the French
  River area in the very early days. If this happened, then it is very likely most
  or all of the group's valuables were buried prior to or during the fight. 

  B)  A canoe carrying four British soldiers was attacked by renegate Indians
  on the French River in the 1800's. The soldiers had an army payroll with them.
  They quickly buried the coins and tried to make their escape. Only one soldier
  escaped and later died of his wounds. Records indicate they had  $18,000
  with them. The location of the attack is believed to be somewhere in the
  vicinity of where Hwy 69 crosses the river.

  C)  This lead is not in the book, but there are reports that an eccentric
  couple was vacationing on the French River in the early 1900s. During
  one of their canoe paddling excursions, the canoe tipped over throwing
  the couple into the water. Anything that would not float sank to the bottom
  of the river. It does not sound like much of a treasure lead, until one is made
  aware that the lady always had her expensive jewelry with her at all times
  in a steel box. The jewelry was never recovered. There were no clues to
  the location.

A section of the French River
Waterway Provincial Park

Yesterday's Resort on the French River

The French River

Recollet Falls on the French River

Lone Cardinal Flower on the French River

   Most Distinguishing Feature:   
         From a time in the distant past, long before the dinosaurs and back before time
    itself, Earth had a visitor. This visitor came from a distant land, looking for a new
    home and a new beginning. Today, over two billion years later, the remnants of her
    encounter with our planet, can still be seen in Sudbury.
         Her encounter with our planet was not by chance. She was sent by a civilization
    that had technology, so far beyond our understanding that even today they remain
    silent. However, their silence is only as we perceive it, for they have been interacting
    with Earth for two billion years. In 1884, a major discovery concealed in the ancient
    rocks of the Sudbury Basin has led to the writing of a book titled, "2 Billion Years
    Ago, A Heavily Armed Warship Went Into Earth Orbit."
         This book is about the historical legacy of the Sudbury Basin. It is an exciting
    and riveting story based on historical events. The book will challenge or complement
    the bible depending on how you view religion. The book's release date has not been
    finalized yet.
    You Tube video ad for this book on page 2
 

On that fateful day over two billion
years ago, a fast closing super class
meteor was seconds away from
sealing our planet's history